Delaware’s Vision 2015 for its public schools: exciting, expensive

Delaware public schools—which, fairly or not, have an undistinguished reputation—are making gains. But, as a growing number of educators, parents, students, business leaders, and elected officials attest, greater potential exists. They imagine a globally recognized education system that helps attract new businesses and retain talented employees, provides universal preschool opportunities, and includes classrooms where innovative teachers have freedom to experiment.

Vision 2015’s dream is of a place where minority and low-income children achieve at the same rate as their classmates, where principals receive funding for English language learners (ELLs), and where learning is valued above testing. Campuses would be safe, children disciplined and parents welcomed.

Finding the money to pay for the changes is part of the hurdle. Vision 2015’s reforms have been estimated to cost more than $100 million over several years. Read about the dream and the reality in The News Journal online.